June 25th

Reflections from our Inter-Mennonite/Inter-Cultural Good Friday Service 2025

Participating congregations: 

• Bethel International (Oromo)
• First Mennonite Church Edmonton
• Holyrood Mennonite Church
• Lendrum Mennonite Church (Mennonite Brethren) 
• South Sudanese Mennonite Church 

In our gathering to share experiences of our Good Friday service, the leadership agreed that it was a beautiful experience. Many felt inspired by a service that connected present-day experiences of violence and oppression with the story of violence and oppression that led to Jesus’ death long ago.  As would be expected, a few felt a bit disconnected, longing for the “usual” way of remembering this day.  

Both the South Sudanese Nuer and the Ethiopian Oromo communities were overjoyed at being together in our global diversity. They are not used to such spaces, and felt very close to the spirit of the book of Acts. Amanuel, from the Bethel congregation commented on how it felt like a Pentecost Missionary  moment – bringing diverse languages and music cultures together to worship in unity. Reuben and Amanuel both shared how powerful it was to be able share the burdens of violence from their communities and to have these burdens lifted up in prayer by the larger gathering. Amanuel said he had no idea the degree of violence being experienced by our Nuer brothers and sisters in South Sudan. This was another expression of the missionary spirit of the book of Acts and the work of the Apostle Paul: the missionary moment of learning about each others’ burdens, laying them at the feet of Jesus and praying together for peace.  The role of prayer was lifted up as a very important component of the service.

Holyrood enjoyed leading the opening singing with Adela Wedler, First Mennonite Edmonton, at the piano, and was happy that Susan Janzen from Lendrum accepted the invitation to join the group. Having Hank Janzen joyfully lead a beloved Lendrum hymn was also a lovely experience. The Bethel song contribution was a beautiful “beyond words” experience for some, who noticed the musical shift from sorrow to joy. Others would have appreciated a bit more context and translation.

We agreed that having a plan but no printed program so that we could adapt to new circumstances was a good idea. The more voices are included in such a service, the more possibility there is for the need for a quick change of plans, and that approach served us well.  The worship leader had the job of adapting to this change, and some in our congregations noticed this added element of leading, which is different from what they have come to expect in planning and leading.  

And, finally, having only one service to plan together was a welcome departure from the usual two.

As we were talking together, we noticed that we are perhaps passing a threshold as we move another step closer to being "we", moving further and further away from "us and them.”  I, for one, look forward to what God has in mind for us as we continue walking and worshipping together.